- Australian Michelle Jenneke has competed in her last Olympic Games
- The hurdler confirmed that she suffered a serious hamstring injury in Paris
- ‘Jiggling’ Jenneke became an internet sensation in 2012
Australian track star Michelle Jenneke has confirmed Paris will be her last Olympics as she made an emotional statement after running her final race with a torn hamstring.
Jenneke, 31, also won many admirers at the Stade de France when she was seen consoling Slovakia’s Viktoria Forster after competing in the women’s 100m hurdles repechage round in a moment many spectators would have missed.
On Instagram, Jenneke confirmed that her days as a professional athlete are coming to an end.
“These are not the Olympics I had dreamed they would be” Jenneke posted.
‘I felt ready to run the race of my life, but unfortunately I completely tore one of my hamstrings in my heat, which caused me to crash into an obstacle and take a pretty big fall.
‘I was lucky to escape the fall without further injury and I am immensely proud to have performed (today) against all odds to finish my Olympic campaign.
“The important thing was to not give up and leave no stone unturned. I gave it my all and I’m honored to be able to say that I’m a two-time Olympian.”
Jenneke also competed at the 2016 Games in Rio, but did not make it past the qualifying rounds in the hurdles.
One final move: Australian track star Michelle Jenneke (pictured doing her signature dance before her repechage race on Thursday) confirmed she has competed in her final Olympics.
Jenneke, 31, won over many fans at the Stade de France when she was seen consoling Slovakia’s Viktoria Forster despite the heartbreak of missing out on her last Games.
Fans were also quick to pay tribute to Jenneke’s career on social media.
“You were an inspiration, a role model and someone Australia should be proud to represent on the world stage,” one supporter said.
Another posted: ‘You always competed with a smile on your face and your positive vibes will prevail… that alone is worth it and people will remember you for that.’
A third chimed in: “You have made a nation proud! Thank you for all your sacrifices.”
Jenneke became a worldwide sensation for her dance moves behind the starting blocks while competing at the Junior World Championships in Barcelona in 2012.
A story later emerged that Jenneke did not take the sport seriously due to her business interests and growing popularity off the track.
Australia’s athletics coach for the Rio Games, Craig Hilliard, was not impressed with Jenneke’s condition in Brazil.
“It’s something I have to discuss with her and I have to carry out with her, with her program. She certainly did not arrive here in the conditions in which she should have arrived,” he said.
The Australian did not reveal she had torn her hamstring in her fall (pictured) until after she had bravely contested her final race despite the pain.
“It’s very simple: if you’re going to do something halfway, why are we going to invest in you (through financing)? I can’t justify it.”
Jenneke responded by saying the criticism was unjustified but admitted she did not race well in Rio after an injury occurred.
She went on to state that she started doing her pre-race dance at the 2009 Australian All-Schools Championships and achieved her personal best.
“It’s something that relaxes me and allows me to feel comfortable. I feel like I always run to the best of my ability and give my best performance when I’m relaxed and enjoying myself,” she said.
‘YO Getting into the rhythm of how I run best is paramount.
